Crawling toy



T. R. MULLINS Aug. 6, 1968 CRAWLING TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 28,1965 ATTORNEYS T. R. MULLINS Aug. 6, 1968 CRAWLING TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed July 28, 1965 FIG.7

I N V E N TOR Thomas R. Mullins ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,395,483CRAWLING TOY Thomas R. Mullins, 4510 Arlen, Apt. 101, El Paso, Tex.79904 Filed July 28, 1965, Ser. No. 475,330 Claims. (Cl. 46-104)ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A crawling toy including an axially elongatedbody having forward, middle and rear sections. The forward and rearsections carry surface engaging rollers, movable only in a forwarddirection, while the middle section carries actuating means connectedwith the rollers. The actuating means is operable to alternatelydisplace the forward and rear sections to one side of the body axis,then to the other side thereof, to thus advance the toy in a serpentinemanner along a supporting surface.

This invention relates to an amusement device in the form of a crawlingtoy, and more particularly it relates to such an amusement device whichis capable of crawling forwardly along a supporting surface in aserpentine manner, thereby simulating the motion of a snake, worm orother similar elongated crawling animal.

It is, of course, well known that movable toys and amusement deviceshold a high degree of fascination for children, and as a result thereof,such items are commercially successful. However, in any movable type oftoy or amusement device, the cost of such item is necessarily related tothe expense of the mechanism which accomplishes the movement. It wouldtherefore seen beneficial to provide a movement mechanism whichaccomplishes the desired movement, yet which is relatively simple andinexpensive.

With particular reference to crawling toys such as toy snakes, worms,eels, and other forms of serpents, it has been diflicult to create a toywhich simulates the move ment of the real reptile or the like which thetoy represents. The reason for this difficulty is that snakes and otherreptiles do not move in a linear path but instead, crawl along in anundulating or serpentine fashion, which, if actually plotted, would forma sinusoidal plot along a linear axis.

With the foregoing factors in mind, it is, therefore, an object of thepresent invention to provide a crawling toy or amusement device of theaforementioned type, which accomplishes the desired movement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a crawling toywhich, in operation, will advance forwardly along a supporting surfacein an undulating or serpentine manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide mechanism foroperating a crawling toy, which mechanism is simple and inexpensive toproduce, yet is durable and highly efficient in operation, and whichaccomplishes the desired form of movement.

Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following detailed description, which, takenin conjunction with the annexed drawings discloses a preferredembodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the mechanism of the present invention,shown in contracted position, with the body of the toy being illustratedin phantom lines;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism of FIGURE 1 in extendedposition;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the mechanism, as shown in itsextended position of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a roller meansat the end of the mechanism; and

FIGURES 5 through 9 are progressive schematic top plan views, showingthe manner of movement of the toy of the present invention, as themechanism thereof operates through one complete cycle.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, there isprovided a crawling toy generally designated 10 including an elongatedbody generally designated 12 and operating mechanism generallydesignated 14 disposed within the body. The operating mechanism 14basically includes surface engaging means or roller means generallydesignated 16 disposed at opposite ends of the body 12, and an actuatingmeans generally designated 18 interconnected between the opposite rollermeans 16.

The body 12 can be fabricated of any suitable flexible material, such ascloth, plastic, rubber, or any suitable form of fabric. The particularmaterial out of which the body 12 is fabricated does not comprise a partof the present invention, but it will be understood that such materialmust have a suflicient degree of flexibility to enable the toy 10 tomove through its: desired serpentine motion. In manufacture, the body 12will be formed to simulate the appearance of a snake, worm, eel, seaserpent, or other similar type of animal or reptile which the toy is tosimulate. The body has a forward or head end 20 and a rearward or tailend 22, as shown in FIGURES l and 5.

Within the body 12, a roller means 16 is provided at the head end 20 andat the tail end 22. Each roller means 16 includes a frame portion 24having a pair of legs 26 which diverge outwardly from a point 28 andwhich terminate in a pair of upstanding legs 30. The legs 30 are joinedtogether at their upper ends by a transverse bar 32, and anothertransverse bar 34 extends between the legs 26 at a location between thepoint 28 and the upstanding legs 30. As best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4,the lower ends of the legs 30 are enlarged and are provided with opposedapertures 36.

A roller element 38, formed of rubber, plastic, or other suitablematerial, is provided at its opposite ends with stub shafts 40, andthese shafts are journalled within the apertures 36 at the lower ends ofthe arms 30 to thereby rotatably mount the roller element 38 within theframe portion 24. The peripheral surface of the roller element 38 iscorrugated to form an alternating series of teeth 42 having depressionsor grooves therebetween. A stop means 44, in the form of a resilientspring finger, projects from the bar 34 toward the roller element 38.The end of the finger 44 engages with the surface of the roller element38 in such a manner as to permit only unidirectional forward rotationthereof, and to prevent any retrograde rotation. Thus, as shown inFIGURE 3, the spring finger at the forward end of the toy is disposedbeneath the rotational axis of the roller element 38, while the springfinger 44 at the rear of the toy is disposed above such rotational axis.In this manner, each of the roller elements can rotate forwardly, asshown by the arrows in FIG- URES 3 and 4, but is prevented from rotatingrearwardly.

The actuating means 18, as best shown in FIGURES l-3, includes acircular main gear 50 in the form of a ring gear with upstandingperipheral teeth 52. A spring enclosure 54 is disposed within the gear50, and within such enclosure, a coil spring 56 is housed. The spring 56is connected to the :gear 54 in a conventional manner, and is adapted tobe coiled or compressed by means of a hand operated key 58, as shown inFIGURE 3. As is the case with conventional spring wound toys, the key 58can be manually turned to tighten the spring 56 to a compressedcondition, and when the key is released, the spring will resilientlyuncoil thereby rotating the main gear 50.

A pair of opposed secondary gears 60 and 61, each having peripheralteeth 62, are disposed in substantially perpendicular relationship tothe main gear 50, with the secondary gear teeth 62 being in meshingengagement with the main gear teeth 52. The two opposed gears 60 and 61are interconnected to one another by an axle 64 which is rotatablymounted in an upstanding mount 66 projecting above the spring housing54. As such, it will be apparent that when the main gear 50 is set intorotation, it in turn produces a rotation of the secondary gears 60 and61, with the gear 60 being driven in one direction and the gear 61 beingdriven in the opposite direction.

A pair of elongated rods 68 extend between the roller means and thesecondary gears. The end of each of the rods 68 adjacent the rollermeans is attached by a pivot mounting 70 to the bar 32, as best shown inFIGURE 4, with the pivot mounting 70 being of loose enought fit toenable the rod 68 to raise and lower slightly in a vertical direction aswell as to rotate in a horizontal plane. The opposite end of each of therods 68 projects through an aperture in an ear 72 projecting from theside of each of the secondary gears. As such, the rods 68 are therebyattached to the secondary gears 60 and 61.

An elongated bar or plate 76 is fixedly mounted beneath the main gear50, and is provided at its ends with a pair of upstanding posts 78. Eachof the elongated rods 68 is provided between its ends with an enlargedaperture means 80, through which the upstanding posts 78 project. Inthis manner, the posts serve as a pivot or axis for the rods 68.Additionally, the aperture means in the rods 68 are somewhat larger indiameter than the posts 78, thereby permitting the rods to be cantedangularly with respect to the posts in the manner shown in FIGURE 3.

Although the secondary gears 60 and 61 are independently rotatable upontheir axle 64, when the actuating means 18 is initially assembled, it isimportant to dispose the ears 72 on each of the gears in a diametricallyopposed manner. That is, as best shown in FIGURE 3, when the mechanism14 is arranged in its extended or linear position, the ear 72 on thesecondary gear 60 is at its high point, while the ear 72 on thesecondary gear 61 is at its low point. This 180 displacement of the ears72 when the body is in its extended position is important in determiningthe operation of the mechanism 14 and the movement of the toy 10.

If reference is now made to FIGURES 5 through 9, the operation of themechanism 14- and the movement of the toy will now be described. It is,of course, understood that the underside of the body 12 is provided withat least three apertures. One of the apertures provides access to thewinding key 58, while the other two apertures permit the undersurface ofthe roller elements 38 to project downwardly and to thereby contact asupporting surface upon which the toy 10 is placed. When the top is inits elongated or linear position shown in FIGURE 5, let it be assumedthat the mechanism 14 is in the position shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. Assuch, the body is axially aligned along a central axis which can bedesignated 84. Once the main gear 50 is wound and released, let it beassumed that such gear unwinds in a counter-clockwise direction. As themain gear starts to unwind in this manner, it drives the secondary gear60 in a clockwise direction and the secondary gear 61 is acounter-clockwise direction. Once each of the secondary gears hasrotated through an arc of 90, such gears will be in the position shownin FIGURE 1. As such, the ear 72 on each of the gears will be moved outto the same side of the central axis 84, thereby causing the rods 68 topivot about their pivot points, and to thereby contract the roller means16 Asto the opposite side of the central axis 84. The toy has then movedto the position shown in FIGURE 6, and in doing so, the tail 22 willhave moved forwardly, thereby causing a rotation of the rear rollerelement 38. As the main gear 50 continues to rotate, the secondary gearsmove through another are of 90, thereby disposing the ear 72 on the gear60 in the lower most position and the ear 72 on the gear 61 in its uppermost position. As such, and as shown in FIGURE 7, the toy will again bealigned along the central axis 84. However, as this straightening outoccurred, the forward roller 38 will have rolled forwardly. Since therear stop means 44 prevents the rear roller from rotating rearwardly,the rear of the toy will stay at the position at which it was in FIGURE6, and the toy will thereby have advanced forwardly. A I

As the secondary gears 60 and 61 rotate through a third arc of the ears72 on such gears again come into alignment on one side of the centralaxis 84,'thereby moving the head and tail portions of the toy to theopposite side of the axis 84, as shown in FIGURE 8. When suchcontracting occurs, the rear roller element 38 will again rotateforwardly. I

Finally, when the secondary gears 60 and 61 rotate through their finalare of 90, to return to the original position shown in FIGURES 2 and 3,the toy will again straighten out and be aligned along the axis 84, asshown in FIGURE 9. Again, as such straightening 'out occurs, the forwardroller element 38 will rotate forwardly, and the rearward roller element38 will be prevented from rotating rearwardly.

Fom the foregoing, it should be apparent that the overall elfect ofoperation of the mechanism 14 is to advance the toy 10 forwardly alongits supporting surface in an undulating or serpentine manner. Each timethe mechanism contacts the toy, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 8, the rearroller element 38 rolls forwardly. Each time the mechanism 14straightens out the toy, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 9, the forward rollerelement 38 advances forwardly, and the overall effect of such movementis to gradually and incrementally advance the toy 10 along itssupporting surface. As is apparent, the axis of rotation of the maingear 50 is perpendicular to both the body axis 84 and the plane of thesupporting surface upon which the rollers 38 abut. Thus, the centralsection of the toy containing the actuating means 14 is not raised offthe supporting surface and is not moved out of alignment with the bodyaxis 84.

After reading the foregoing detailed description, it should be apparentthat the objects set forth at the outset of the specification have beensuccessfully achieved by the present invention.

Accordingly what is claimed is: v V

1. A crawling toy with a serpentine movement comprising:

an axially elongated body having a forward and a rearward end;

roller means at each of said ends;

said roller means being rotatable only toward sai forward end;

actuating means within said body between said forward and rearward ends;coupling means coupling said actuating means tosaid roller means;

said actuating means being operative to move said forward and rearwardends to one side of said body axis, thereby causing said rearward rollermeans to rotate forwardly and thus configuring said body into aserpentine position;

said actuating means being further operative to move said forward andrearward ends back into alignment with said body axis, thereby causingsaid forward roller means to rotate forwardly and thus configuring saidbody into a linear position;

said body movement between said serpentine and said linear positionscreating a forward crawling motion which advances said toy along asupporting surface,

said actuating means including a ring gear, a pair of opposed secondarygears in meshing relation with said ring gear, and means for causingrotation of said ring gear to provide relative rotation between saidring gear and said secondary gears whereby'one of said secondary gearswill be rotated in a clockwise direction and the other of said secondarygears will be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction.

2. A crawling toy as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said rollermeans includes a rotatable roller element and a stop means in engagementwith said roller element to prevent rotation away from said forward end.

3. A crawling toy as defined in claim 2 wherein said roller elements areprovided with teeth on at least a portion of their peripheral surfacesand wherein said stop means includes a resilient spring finger meansengageable with said teeth to permit only unidirectional forwardrotational movement of said roller means.

4. A crawling toy as defined in claim 1 wherein said coupling meansincludes a pair of elongated rods to couple said actuating means to saidroller means, each of said rods having a first end attached to asecondary gear and a second end pivotally attached to a roller means.

5. A crawling toy as defined in claim 4, but further including a pair ofupstanding posts disposed on opposite sides of said ring gear inalignment with said body axis and wherein each of said rods is providedwith an aperture means between its first and second ends, one of saidposts projecting through each of said aperture means to therebyestablish a pivot point for each of said rods.

6. An amusement device capable of crawling forwardly in a serpentinemanner, said device comprising:

an axially elongated body having a forward end and a rearward end;

an internal frame portion at said forward end and at said rearward end;

a roller element rotatably mounted in each of said internal frameportions;

a stop means projecting from each said frame portions into engagementwith the roller element mounted therein to permit forward rotation ofsaid roller element but to prevent retrograde rotation thereof;

actuating gear means disposed in mounted relation between said bodyforward and rearward ends;

said actuating gear means including a main gear and a pair of opposedsecondary gears in 'meshing engagement with said main gear;

driving means coupled with said actuating gear means to impart arelative rotational movement between said secondary gears and said maingear;

a pair of elongated rod means, one connecting each said secondary gearto a respective internal frame portion;

pivot mounting means for mounting on each rod means disposed betweensaid secondary gear and said internal frame portion;

said rod means being pivotally attached to said internal frame portions;

said driving means being operative to rotate said secondary gears inopposite directions to one another, thereby pivoting said rod meansabout their pivot mounting means and thus moving said forward andrearward body ends first to one side of said body axis, then to theother side thereof;

said movement of said body ends causing said roller elements toalternatively rotate forwardly, thereby advancing said amusement deviceforwardly along a supporting surface. 7. An amusement device as definedin claim 6 wherein said pivot mounting means includes a pair ofupstanding posts disposed on opposite sides of said ring gear inalignment with said body axis and further includes said rod means havingaperture means therein to receive said upstanding posts.

8. An amusement device as defined in claim 6, wherein said secondarygears are disposed substantially perpendicularly to said main gear.

9. A crawling toy capable of moving along a generally planar supportingsurface in a serpentine manner, said crawling toy comprising:

an axially elongated body including a forward section,

a middle section and a rear section;

forward and rear surface engaging means mounted respectively within saidforward and rear sections to engage said supporting surface when saidbody is placed thereon;

rotatable actuating means mounted within said middle section; couplingmeans connecting said actuating means with said forward and rear surfaceengaging means; and,

means mounting said actuating means for rotation about an axis ofrotation disposed perpendicularly to both said body axis and the planeof said supporting surface; said actuating means being operative, uponrotation thereof about its axis of rotation, to displace said forwardand rear sections alternately to one side of said body axis, then to theother side thereof, while said middle section remains aligned along saidbody axis and in contact with said supporting surface;

said actuating means rotational movement thereby advancing said toyalong said supporting surface in la serpentine manner.

10. A crawling toy as defined in claim 9 further including meanspermitting said surface engaging means to move forwardly but preventingsaid surface engaging means from moving rearwardly.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 725,432 4/1903 Flaherty 46-1041,049,345 1/1913 Dolman 46-123 2,152,945 4/ 1939 Alvistu-r 46-1082,232,615 2/ 1941 Kupka 46104 2,514,450 7/1950 Kopf 46--120 2,641,8646/1953 Villemejane 46120 3,181,270 5/1965 Trevena 46-152 RICHARD C.PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

T. ZACK, Assistant Examiner.

